Wednesday, September 11, 2013

To All The Rakes I've Loved Before (Honeycote #1.5) by Anne Barton

After being jilted by her former beau, Miss Amelia Wimple retreated to her Mayfair town house and her ever-growing collection of gossips rags. Now, almost two years later, not even her beloved cousins, Rose and Olivia Sherbourne, can persuade her to give love another chance. But an unexpected midnight caller may open her heart once more.

Lord Stephen Brookes is the prince of pleasure, the duke of decadence-and it seems his exploits have finally caught up with him. When Stephen comes to Amelia seeking refuge, she can’t deny him . . . or the intense desire he sparks. As he attempts to heal her broken heart, they indulge in a private passion unlike anything either has experienced. Stephen knows sweet, sensual Amelia is meant to be his one and only. Now, he will do whatever it takes to convince her that a rake really can change his ways.

Ahh so Anne Barton totally won me over last year with When She Was Wicked. Turns out she can totally rock a novella too. To All The Rakes I've Loved Before was sweet and sexy and had me smiling the entire time as a notorious rake literally lands, battered and in desperate need of care, on the reclusive heroine's doorstep after a harrowing attack.

Stephen and Amelia were really wonderful. They've had innocent moments together in their past when she was hurting and in need of a friend and I loved that they were brought together once again when he needed her. They're very upfront and open--not hiding behind polite manners or keeping their thoughts hidden--and just put it all out there for the other and it's so refreshing and fun to watch. The steamy bits aren't over the top steamy but they're nice and intimate and perfect in all their inappropriateness.

Still, she felt she should do something with her arms. she would just ease them around his back, like so, and--

Accidentally fondle his buttocks. Firm, hard buttocks. Good heavens.

"What are you doing?" His tone was not accusatory--more..amused.

She stepped back, quickly pinning her wrists to her hips. "I beg your pardon. I meant to reciprocate. Not that you were..."

"Would you like me to? I'd be happy--"

"No." Her heart thumped so hard, surely he must hear it. She knew he was only having a bit of fun-- teasing her-- and yet her body responded to his wicked words. Her knees went wobbly and her belly fluttered. The thought of his hands, large and warm, skimming over her bottom, up her sides, cupping her breasts--

I loved pretty much everything about To All The Rakes I've Loved Before. The set up, the characters, the humor and sweetness between Stephen and Amelia as they fall in love and bring out the best in each other. It's just a lovely little romance that'll leave you smiling.

FTC Disclaimer: The books I review come from a number of places...ones I have purchased, some provided by authors or publishers in exchange for honest reviews (yeah some of those get DNF'd and 1 stars too) and some I've received from friends. I'll always give yall exactly what I think regardless of how the books ended up on my shelf.

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